Bower Award and Prize For Achievement in Science 2027
Sponsor
The Franklin Institute
Description
Since 1824, the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia has honored the legacy of Benjamin Franklin by presenting awards for outstanding achievements in science, engineering and industry. Past laureates include Thomas Edison, Marie Curie, Claude Shannon, Jane Goodall, Nikola Tesla, Stephen Hawking, Edward Lorenz, the Wright Brothers, Bill Gates and Albert Einstein.
This year's theme is Innovative Chemistry for Better Batteries.
The Franklin Institute seeks nominations for the 2027 Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science of individuals who have made significant contributions to the chemistry of modern batteries. Anthropogenic climate change is driving the rapid decarbonization of our energy infrastructure and transportation sectors. The attendant electrification of all manner of machines requires ever better methods for storing and delivering electrical energy. This space has been dominated by lithium-ion batteries, which depend on metal oxide cathodes, graphite anodes and liquid organic electrolytes. Recent strides in battery development have seen improvements in terms of storage capacity, charging/discharging speed, lifetime, safety, sustainability and cost. Nominations should recognize innovations of the chemical processes addressing these benchmarks. Nominations are encouraged in, but not limited to, the following areas:
- Solid-state batteries
- Novel electrode materials
- Alternatives to lithium-ion chemistry
Nominations should clearly indicate the scientific or engineering impact—innovative, technical and/or conceptual—and the societal and/or economic impact of the nominee’s work.
Please note: The external deadline for this award is June 1st, but an email of intent to nominate is required by May 1st, 2026.
Eligibility
- This is an international competition for individuals who have pioneered novel strategies for improving the chemistry underlying the storage of electrical energy in better batteries.
- As specified by the will of Henry Bower, this award and prize must be presented to an individual, not to a group.
- Candidates must be living, and the winner must participate in The Franklin Institute Awards Week programs, to be held in Spring 2027 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
- Nominations from any individual or organization will be accepted, including self-nominations.
- Additional criteria may be found on the Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science web page.
- Nominations of candidates traditionally underrepresented in science and engineering are particularly encouraged.
Prize
The award, a 14k gold medal, and cash prize of $250,000 USD are presented annually to a distinguished member of the international scientific community.
Deadlines
If College-level review is required, your College will communicate its earlier internal deadlines.
| Type | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
External Deadline | Please submit the nomination directly to Beth Scheraga, bscheraga@fi.edu. Please also submit a copy of the full nomination and OR-5 to research.services@uoguelph.ca. |
How to Apply
Applications must be emailed directly to Beth Scheraga, bscheraga@fi.edu. Further information on nomination criteria is available on the Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science website. Please submit an OR-5 and a completed application to research.services@uoguelph.ca by the external deadline.
For More Information
Please contact Kumudinie Kariyapperuma, kkariyap@uoguelph.ca, or Beth Scheraga at bscheraga@fi.edu. See the Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science web page for more information.